J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2019

Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online) Vol. 14, No. 6, p. 262-271, 2019 http://www.innspub.net

RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS

Ethnomedicinal recipes of wild fruits of Sargodha District, Punjab, Pakistan

Asif Abbas Shah1, Amin Shah1, Muhammad Nadeem2, Sarvat Rahim*1

1Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan 2Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

Article published on June 30, 2019

Key words: Wild fruit, Indigenous communities, Folklore, Curative flora.

Abstract The The present study was conducted in the Sargodha district, Punjab, to underline indigenous knowledge of wild edible fruits as for therapeutic use by the local inhabitants. Folklore traditions with respect to curative flora were gathered through meetings and surveys from key informants including local residents, shepherds, herders, ranchers, traditional healers and herbalists. Rural vicinities were engaged to investigate reliable clients of wild edible fruits. Such studies not just assume a significant role in saving the native medica-ethnobotanical information yet in addition help to update the social status and economic values of the indigenous communities that consequently preserve the global heritage. 27 fruit species belonging to 15 families were recorded in the territory. All the plants were extremely compelling against various diseases and native to the area. The data about their botanical names, local names, families, part used, method of use and used for, all were recorded. The fruits and other plant samples of the investigated plants were collected, identified, preserved and deposited in the Herbarium of University of Sargodha (SARGU) for future references.

*Corresponding Author: Sarvat Rahim  [email protected]

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Introduction wild species of fruits were passed on by the cavemen The utilization of plants as a significant wellspring of from age to age. That data turned into the reason for medications for treatment of different illnesses present day agriculture and horticulture. The started from prehistoric time (Malik, 2001). The essential nutritional elements like Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn etc. ethnic races and innate individuals all through the are in much higher concentration in wild edible fruits world have built up their own way of life and than the others (Hegazy et al., 2013). Forests are the sustenances and therapeutic practices. The natural habitat of wild edible plants providing the traditional knowledge about the link between local baseline of indigenous knowledge and socio-cultural inhabitants and medicinal plant wealth for the benefits. Wild plants are potential source of treatments of various disorders is called hereditary characters for the development of new Ethnomedicine. Health and culture promotion crop varieties. Wild fruits are an exqusite source of without scientific knowledge is the key aspect of micronutrients and macronutrients including ethnomedicine. It is an unstated knowledge proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and transmitted through socio-cultural and household dietary fibers. The healthy benefit of wild natural contexts. The basic medicinal necessity of an products is superior to artificial ones. So cause indigenous community is accomplished through immunity to various diseases and provide essential regional curative flora. Indigenous reviews uncovered health and growth factors. Wild plants are the that various plants are utilized to treat a malady or a reservoirs of organic and inorganic bio-molecules. few infections in the meantime (Arshad & Rao, 2001). Many local inhabitants and indigenous communities The nutritional, edibility and therapeutic properties practice medicinal plants to fix various health of wild edible fruits are data deficit. The conventional dangers even today (Naidu et al., 2013). Rural people learning about the utilization of wild edible plants is in developing countries harvest fruits, leafy confronting dangers of vanishing in modern vegetables, roots, tubers from the wild as food civilizations. An incredible reliance has developed to supplements, cultural use, taste, or to defeat assess wholesome and therapeutic values of wild nourishment deficiency. A portion of these plants are fruits rather than cultivated commercial fruits as the gathered for home consumption or for sale as well. last ones are expensive and unaffordable for the rustic needy individuals (Nazarudeen, 2010). Pakistan occupies the land of a diverse flora and Documentation of ethnomedicinal recipes of wild ecological zones acting as the storehouse of plants vegetation by the rustic communities is of most which are used by the local people and tribal extreme essential to secure the indigenous data communities as a source of medicines in the remote (Panda, 2010). Ethnomedicinally important flora has areas. The diversity of medicinal plants is fascinating incredible perceivability in indigenous and rural in Pakistan (Nasreen and Khan, 2001). Sargodha, the communities. But at present the knowledge about district of Central Punjab has most of its population ethnomedicinal recipes is being declined day by day in rural areas. It is facing many challenging facters by the introduction of exotic species and modern such as urbanization, overpopulation, limited pharmacology. Along these lines, indigenous learning opportunities for livelihood, food insecurity and must be connected in current pharmacology to avoid unaffordable rise in the prices of food items. It has side effects of the drugs (Rasingam and Rehel, 2009). fertile land and most of its rural population is concerned to farming and agriculture. However, less The untamed or un-hybridized plants which develop attention has been paid by the government for poor naturally without human mediation existed in an area farmers and ranchers. Rustic people in antient for quite a long time are named as wild plants. The villages still rely upon ethnomedicinal recipes to present day fruits appeared by the domestication of combat various illnesses. Fo this, Hakeems are wild fruits. Important data on the choice and utility of considered more reliable persons which are actually

263 | Shah et al. J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2019 concerned with the supply of vegetative and floral 1). Its area is 5,854km2. The climate of the district parts of wild edible plants. Despite modern ranges from extreme heat (50oC) in summers to 0oC agricultural techniques and domestication of crop in winters. There are mainly flat plains in the whole and fruit plants, wild edible plants are commonly district yet few small hills also occur on Faisalabad speckled in the district. So, they are utilized as the road. The second largest river of Pakistan, The River cheap source of nutraceutical diet to overcome Chenab flows on eastern side and the River Jhelum malnutrition, food shortage and medicinal imbalance. lies on the western and northern sides of the city. The main objective of our study was to document how Despite of modern agricultural techniques and the inhabitants of Sargodha district, Pakistan, who domesticated fruit and crop plants in Sargodha, wild live as farmers, agriculturists, herdsmen, peasants, fruits are abundant and commonly eaten by the local ranchers, traditional healers and herbalists, have people. Some of the wild fruits are sold in local employed the wild fruit plants as the source of markets and festivals or preserved to be used during medicines to treat various health challenges. dry periods. The wild plants were mostly seen in Graveyards, Shrines, along the sides of rivers, lakes, Materials and methods roads, railway lines and uncultivated lands. Study Area Sargodha is located in the Central Punjab, Pakistan. Ancient villages Geographically it is located in longitude 72o-38’ to Ancient villages such as Ajnala, Mari, Tanguwali, Kot 72o-43’ and latitude of 32o-3’ and 32o-7’. It occupies Bhai Khan, Nehang, Matela, Baga Baloachan, Nabi very fertile agricultural land. It is famous with the Shah Bala, Bhabra, Lak Mor, Kalra, Bhagtanwala, title “The California of Pakistan” due to vast Lakseen, Dharema, Shaheen Abad, Behk Maiken, production of Kinnow - the citrus fruit. It is 11th Maroolian Wala, Kolowal, Ludywala, Jhawrian, largest city of Pakistan. Bucha Kalan, Doda, Midh Ranjha, Manky Wala, Ootian, Mitha Lak, Sardar Pur Noon,Shah Nikdur, It is one of the fast growing cities in Pakistan. Dhall, Jhugian, Miani, Liliani, Jalpana, Jalal Pur Sargodha has largest and historic PAF Base due to Nangiana, Luqman, Hathi Vind, Khachar Pur, Mela, which it has earned the title “The City of Eagles”. The Kot Umrana, Bhabhrani, Sultan Pur, Farooka, Chhani language which is most widely spoken in the whole Rehan, Vijh, Bakhar Bar, Salum, Chubba, Phularwan, district is Punjabi. It is well connected by road with Basra and Ratta Pur Rehan were visited. Syed, Awan, other major cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, Jhang, Lak, Baloach, Maiken, Ranjha, Kalyar, Gondal, Rawalpindi, Gujrat and Hafizabad. It lies 30 miles Tiwana, Jara, Nathoka, Majoka, Sial are some of the away from Lahore - Islamabad Motorway, M-2 (Fig. major casts of native inhabitants in the area.

Fig. 1. Map of the Study Area.

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Method The information for the use of wild edible fruits as source of traditional medicine was collected from January 2014 to august 2016 in 50 different villages of Sargodha district. Ethno-medicinal investigations were carried out following well-versed semi- structured interviews and questionnaire technique. Information of the ethno-medicinal use, local name, part used, mode of administration and locally used Fig. 3. Part used of wild edible fruit plant. recipes were documented (Martin, 1995).

All collected plant samples were pressed, dried and mounted on herbarium sheets. Scientific names were confirmed with the help of “Flora of Pakistan” (Nasir and Ali, 1970-2002). Preserved specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of the University of Sargodha for future reference. A total of 178 key informants, traditional healers, ethnic users, housewives, schoolboys and children (120 men and 58 women) ranging from 15 to 80 years old of the study area were interviewed. Fig. 4. Habit of wild edible fruit plants.

Fig. 2. Gender data of participants divided into three age (years) groups. Fig. 2. Families with no. of Species.

Results and discussion The knowledge in regards to medicinal use was The inhabitants of the subject area utilize wild edible generally found in individuals with low degree of fruits as alternate source of food and possess a good education and among the age bunch between 40-60 knowledge about their ethnomedicinal uses. The years (Fig. 2). This is on the grounds that such studied species were found most effectual with individuals are for the most part associated with respect to medicinal efficacy. The fruits of all the cultivating and are illiterate as well. species were found edible with slight difference in mode of utilization. General account including local They likewise stay away from the utilization of recipes and medicinal values of all the studied plants pharmaceutical medications and depend upon were recorded (Table 1). conventional and ethnomedicinal plans.

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Table 1. Medicinal value of local recipes prepared from wild edible fruit plants in Sargodha District.

Botanical Name/ Local Family Part(s) Local Recipes (mode of Used For/Medicinal Value Voucher Number Name used utilization) Avena sativa L./ Jangli Poaceae Fruits (i) Fruits are dried and grounded (i) Lowers the cholesterol level in blood, stimulant, ASIF-28 Jai/Jaudri (grains) in the form of flour. laxative and diuretic. (ii) A paste from ground seeds. (ii) Internal infections. Azadirachta Neem Meliaceae Whole (i) Ripened fruits are eaten. (i) Diabetes, mouth blister and skin diseases. indica A. plant (ii) Decoction of bark. (iii) (ii) Insecticidal and liver tonic. Juss./ASIF-15 Sharbat from leaves. (iii) Refrigerant, blood purifier and anti-diabetic. (iv) Dried flowers are taken orally (iv) Intestinal burns, ulcers and dyspepsia. with water. (v) Leprosy, diabetes and ulcer. (v) Hard powdered seeds. Bauhinia Kachnar Fabaceae Flower (i) Flower buds are pickled and (i) Blood purifier and anthelmintic. variegata L./ buds/ used as vegetables. (ii) Ulcer, inflammation, skin diseases, leprosy and ASIF-29 roots/ (ii) Decoction of bark. diarrhea. bark (iii) Decoction of root. (iii) Dyspepsia and obesity. (iv) Floral buds are dried and (iv) Worms and dysentery. ground. Broussonetia Jangli Moraceae Whole (i) Fruits are eaten raw. (i) stomachic, laxative and tonic. papyrifera (L.) Toot plant (ii) Juice from leaves. (ii) Laxative and diaphoretic. Vent./ASIF-30 (iii) Poultice fom leaves. (iii) Insect bites and skin diseases. (iv) Decoction of bark. (iv) Abdominal distention. (v) Latex. (v) Insect bite and bee sting. (vi) Infusion from leaves. (vi) Abdominal pain. Capparis decidua Dela/ Capparaceae Whole (i) Fruits are pickled to make (i) A tasteful recipes used with bread (paratha/roti). (Forssk.) Karya plant Achaar. (ii) Biliousness, cardiac disorders. Edgew./ASIF-01 (ii) Fruits are eaten raw. (iii) Diaphoretic, laxative rheumatism and remittent (iii) Decoction of bark. fevers. (iv) Poultice from leaves. (iv) Swellings and boils. (v) Leaves are chewed. (v) Toothache. (vi) Suspension from shoot and (vi) Pain of gingivitis and pyorrhea. sheep’s milk. Cassia fistula L./ Amaltas/ Fabaceae Fruits/ (i) Dried pods/seeds are (i) Stomachic and is given to children under the age ASIF-31 Girdh leaves/ powdered to make Phakki. of one year for alimentary tract disorders. Nalli Seeds (ii) Infusion of fruit is given orally (ii) Jaundice. for almost 20 days, 3 times per (iii) Very emollient and soften the skin. day. (iii) Tender leaves are rubbed on dry skin. Citrus limon Lemon/ Rutaceae Fruit (i) Fruits are pickled. (i) Nutritive, tasty and flavoring. (Linn.) Burn. f./ Nimbu (ii) Shikanjbeen by mixing lemon (ii) Refrigerant, thirst, heat stroke, diarrhea and ASIF-32 juice with sugar, salt, water and dysentery. ice. (iii) Flavoring the drinks, salad and liquors. (iii) Fresh lemon juice. (iv) Carminative and stomachic. (iv) Fruit peel is eaten. Cordia dichotoma Lasoora Boraginaceae Whole (i) Fruits are eaten raw. (i) Masculine sexual weakness, dropsy, diarrhea, G. Forst./ASIF-23 Plant (ii) Pounded green fruits are cold, acidity, hepatitis, cholera and asthma. mixed with salt and pepper to (ii) A recipes used with bread. make “Chatni”. (iii) disorders of uterus, urethra, chest and cough (iii) Mucilage. complaints. (iv) Leaves extract. (iv) Headache and ulcer. (v) Decoction of bark. (v) Fever and dyspepsia. (vi) Pounded roots mixed with (vi) Fever and dyspepsia. water and misri. Cordia myxa Lasoori Boraginaceae Whole (i) Fresh fruits are eaten raw. (i) Male sexual weakness, infections of urinary tract, L./ASIF-08 Plant (ii) mature but unripe fruits are stomachache, coughs, diseases of chest, urethra and pickled. uterus. (ii) A tasteful and tonic recipe used with bread (roti/paratha). Cucumis melo Chibherr Cucurbitaceae Fruits (i) Fresh fruits are eaten. (i) Stomachic, dehydration, constipation and L./ASIF-11 (ii) Seeds are edible. urinary tract infections. (iii) Rubbing pieces of fruits on (ii) Nutritive and oily. skin. (iii) Moisturizing and cooling for skin. (iv) Emulsion from seeds. (iv) acts as vermifuge. (v) fruit is cut into pieces and (v) acts as condiment. dried to cook with other vegetables. Ehretia Peelak/ Boraginaceae Fruit/ (i) fruits are edible. (i) nutritional and used by local poor people and acuminata R. Koda bark/ (ii) Chewing of bark. herdsmen. Br./ASIF-07 seeds (iii) A paste from ground seeds. (ii) Mouth ulcer, gums and teeth disorders. (iii) Jaundice. Ficus Bohr Moraceae Whole (i) Fruits are edible. (i) Nutritive and delicious. benghalensis L./ plant (ii) Latex is applied for a week (ii) Mouh wounds/bleeding gums. ASIF-33 inside the mouth. (iii) Diarrhea, leucorrhoea, dysentery and diabetes. (iii) Infusion from bark. (iv) Skin allergy/leprosy and ulcer. (iv) Leaves taken orally. Ficus palmata Jangli Moraceae Fruits/ (i) Fruits are eaten raw. (i) Nutritive and delicious. A diet having mild Forssk./ASIF-10 Injeer seeds/ (ii) Seeds are edible. laxative effect. Latex (iii) Latex. (ii) Sexual weaknesses. (iv) A syrup from fruit pulp and (iii) Stings and insect bite. other parts. (iv) Constipation. Ficus racemosa Gulhar Moraceae Fruits/ (i) Fruits are eaten raw. (i) Nutritive and powerful agents for sexual L./ASIF-18 Seeds/ (ii) Seeds are taken orally. weaknesses. Bark (iii) Extract from fruits. (ii) Cooling and aphrodisiac. (iv) Decoction from bark. (iii) Diabetes.

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Botanical Name/ Local Family Part(s) Local Recipes (mode of Used For/Medicinal Value Voucher Number Name used utilization) (v) Paste from ground seeds and (iv) Diarrhea. honey. (v) Diabetes. Ficus religiosa Peepal Moraceae Fruits/ (i) Fruits are edible. (i) Digestive and laxative. L./ASIF-26 Seeds/ (ii) Seeds are also edible. (ii) Stimulating agents for CNS. Bark (iii) Juice. (iii) Gums and toothache. (iv) Ground seeds. (iv) Sterilize women in menses. (v) Decoction of bark. (v) Jaundice, snake bite, scabies. Lantana camara Bhangi Verbenaceae Whole (i) Fruits are edible. (i) Carminative, anti-inflammatory (ii) Analgesics L./ASIF-13 Booti/ plant (ii) Sharbat (an aqueous extract) and diaphoretic Panj from flowers. (iii) Colds, cough, flu, fevers and dysentery Phulli (iii) Sharbat from leaves. (iv) Gonorrhea. (iv) Decoction of roots. Moringa oleifera Suhanjna Moringaceae Fruits/ (i) Fruits as vegetable. (i) Diseases of spleen and liver. Lam./ASIF-34 Seeds/ (ii) Pods are pounded to make (ii) As condiments. Leaves chatni. (iii) Purgative and antipyretic. (iii) Phakki from seeds. (iv) Asthma and coughing. (iv) Decoction of bark. (v) Night blindness and scurvy. (v)Leaves are orally taken. (vi) As condiments and flavoring the foods anti- (vi) Fruits are pickled. diabetic. Morus alba Toot Moraceae Whole (i) Fruits are eaten raw. (i) Laxative, cooling, sore throat and allay fever and L./ASIF-02 plant (ii) Decoction from leaves. thirst. (iii) Chewing of leaves. (ii) inflammatory throat. (iv) Green young leaves are (iii) Diaphoretic. applied on dry skin. (iv) Very emollient. (v) Decoction of bark. (v) Vermifuge and purgative. (vi) Root extract. (vi) Astringent and antihelmintic. Morus nigra Shahtoot Moraceae Fruits/ (i) Fruits are eaten raw. (i) Nutritive, expectorant, cooling, chest and throat L./ASIF-17 leaves/ (ii) decoction from leaves. infection. (iii) Chewing of leaves. (ii) Hyperglycemia/throat infection (iv) Emollient. (iv) Leaves applied on skin. Phoenix sylvestris Khajji/ Arecaceae Fruits, (i) Ripened fruits are eaten. (ii) (i) Overcome food insecurity, very energetic and (L.) Roxb./ASIF- Doka/ spines Dried fruits. astringent. 12 Khajoor (leaflet) (iii) Stained decoction from (ii) For future use. pounded spines. (iii) General body pain. Prosopis Jand Fabaceae Whole (i) Vegetables. (i) Astringent and pectoral having antibacterial cineraria (L.) plant (ii) Pounded flowers are mixed effects. Druce/ ASIF-35 with sugar or gur. (ii) Miscarriage in pregnant women. (iii) Smoke of leaves. (iii) Eye trouble. (iv) Decoction of bark. (iv) Rheumatism and diabetes. Salvadora Van Salvadoraceae Whole (i) Fruits are eaten raw. (i) Kidney pain and pneumonia. oleoides plant (ii) Seeds yield green oil. (ii) A great medicinal oil. Decne./ASIF-09 (iii) Crude plant samples are (iii) Phytotoxic, insecticidal, antifungal and gathered. antibacterial. Salvadora persica Pilu Salvadoraceae Whole (i) Fresh fruits are eaten raw (i) Pain and pneumonia fever L./ ASIF-36 plant (ii) crude plant samples are (ii) Phytotoxic, insecticidal, antifungal and gathered antibacterial. (iii) suspension from leaves. (iii) Heat stroke and chronic fever. Solanum nigrum Mako/ Solanaceae Fruits/ (i) Fruits are eaten raw. (i) Cooling and blood purifying agents and treat L./ASIF-27 Kach leaves (ii) Sharbat of leaves. diarrhea. Mach (iii) Leaves and young twigs are (ii) Bleeding piles, dysentery and chronic cooked as vegetables. enlargement of liver. (iv) A green tea from shadow (iii) Eaten with bread as salan. dried leaves. (iv) Asthma. Syzygium cumini Jaman Myrtaceae Fruits/ (i) Fruits are eaten raw. (i) Diarrhea and urethorrhoea. L. Skeels/ASIF-21 leaves/ (ii) A syrup from extracted juice (ii) Diarrhea and indigestion. bark of ripened fruits. (iii) Cooling recipes. (iii) Squash from fruits. (iv) Vomiting, dyspepsia and dysentery. (iv) Chewing of leaves. (v) Leucorrhoea, fever and cough. (v) Decoction of bark. Ziziphus Beri Rhamnaceae Whole (i) Fresh fruits. (i) Purify blood and pectoral. mauritiana Plant (ii) Dried fruits. (ii) For future use. Lam./ASIF-04 (iii) Seed liniment with oil. (iii) rheumatism . (iv) Leaves with milk. (iv) gonorrhea. (v) Lotion from leaves. (v) conjunctivitis. (vi) Paste from leaves. (vi) wound dressing. (vii) Suspension from bark. (vii) dysentery and diarrhea. (viii) Pounded roots. (viii) indigestion and menstruation Ziziphus Malha Rhamnaceae Whole (i) Fresh fruits (i) Styptic, mucilaginous, laxative, digestive, numularia Beri Plant (ii) Arq/Joshanda by fruits. pectoral and anodyne. (Burm.f.) Wight & (iii) Pulp is removed from fresh (ii) Chest complaints. Arn./ASIF-19 fruits and endocarp is obtained (iii) Abdominal pain in pregnancy. with kernels. (iv) Obesity, diarrhea, biliousness, headache, fever (iv) Root/bark Decoction. and cooling effect. (v) Powdered roots. (v) Ulcers and wounds.

A total of 27 plant species of 20 genera and 15 or complex preparations. Concerning the part families were recorded as wild edible fruits in the utilized; 25% were raw fruits, 20% leaves, 18% bark, study area (Table 1). The mode of utilization was 12% seeds, 11% dried fruits, 7% roots, 4% latex and varying with the type of plant being utilized. Some of 3% other edible parts (Fig. 3). A sum of 15 families them were eaten raw and some others needed simple were recorded from which Moraceae family positioned

267 | Shah et al. J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2019 first with respect to number of specie (7), Fabaceae (3), Jangli Toot in Sargodha. Its fruits were edible. Whole Boraginaceae (3), Rhamnaceae (2), Salvadoraceae (2) plant was important to prepare different local recipes and Capparaceae, Arecaceae, Myrtaceae, Meliaceae, for therapeutic purposes (Table 1). Capparis decidua Verbenaceae, Rutaceae, Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, was a spinous and densely branched medicinal bush. Moringaceae and Poaceae with 1 species each (Fig. 5). Its fruits were widely used in pickles (Satyanarayana Most highly use report of plant species were belonging to et al., 2008). Cassia fistula an amazing plant of family Moraceae because of its flavorful fruits, more therapeutic significance was also investigated during extensive occurence, spineless canopy and effectively the study. Its dried pods/seeds were powdered to accessible plants to the general population. Regarding make Phakki which was given to children under the the propensity for the all out 27 wild edible fruit age of one year for alimentary tract disorders (Table plants in the study area, 16 were trees, 8 shrubs, 2 1). Citrus limon, a flavouring fruit species was herbs and 1 climber (Fig. 4). This was on the grounds commonly utilized in the area. Its most specific use that trees had more fitness and adaptation to the was in making a refregerent recipe (Shikanjbeen) in habitat but shrubs and herbs were easily debarked summer. Its fruits were also pickeld (Table 1). and browsed by herds. Cordia dichotoma was a wild tree species in the area. As for the preparation of local recipes, blending of Its fruits were eaten raw. Mature but unripe fruits pounded leaves in water was most effectively and were used as vegetable (chatni). Its fruits were found exceedingly adopted method followed by decoction of to be coolant, astringent, expectorant, purgative, barks, leaves and roots. Local individuals accept that emollient, analgesic and anti-inflammatory (Table 1). syrup or decoction preparation from natural plant The findings are strenthen by those of Kuppast & materials is highly significant and it is general Nayak (2006). Fruits of Cordia myxa were widely perception that boiling process upgrades the activity used to make pickle with good taste and proved to be of bioactive compounds (Al-Adhroey et al., 2010). beneficial against gonorrhea, thirst and scalding of Similarly practice of gargle, poultice, liniment and urine (Table 1). Fruits along with mucilage were found infusion was additionally observed during the study. to be edible. They showed good results against liver Fresh juice, suspension, squash and syrup fibrosis and diseases of spleen and lungs. The results preparation from edible parts of the plants was also are comparable to those of Afzal et al., (2007). carried out in the study area so as to their tonic and Ethnomedicinally, Cucumis melo was important as restorative properties and furthermore to overcome cooling and moisturizing agent for skin. C. melo was a summer hotness. mean of rural diet (Sultan Asyaz et al., 2010). Phytochemical constituents in the plant showed good Avena sativa was a common herb belonging to family results against cardiovascular and inflammatory Poaceae. Its grains were edible and ethnomedicinally disorders (Dhiman et al., 2012). Fruits of the Ehretia utilized for various illnesses (Table 1). Ripened fruits acuminata were eaten raw by the local people of Azadirachta indica were edible with the local especially the children. These findings are strenghthen name “Nimoli”. Fruits were eaten raw having good by the results obtained by Bandyopadhyay & results against asthma, diabetes and skin infection. Mukherjee, (2009). Decoction of bark was used to cure fever. Chewing stick (Miswak) from the branches was used against Ficus benghalensis was a huge perennial tree. It was toothache (Table 1). Bauhinia variegate was an domesticated for shade in the area. Whole plant was important medicinal tree occurring in the wild as well important from medicinal point of view (Table 1). as domesticated in the district. Its floral buds were Latex from Ficus palmata was proved to be commonly used in pickles and vegetables (Table 1). exceptionally good remedy against pimples, prickles Broussonetia papyrifera was commonly known as and warts when applied externally to the skin. Leaves

268 | Shah et al. J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2019 also had medicinal applications to cure stomach Salvadoraceae. Its fruits (Pilu) were consumed by the disorders. Constipation was treated by eating the rural inhabitants. It was also famous for its fruits of F. palmata. Ficus racemosa Fruits were nutaceutical means. Solanum nigrum fruits were highly edible and nutritional. They were used against black to orange-red or dull purple berries. They were gynecological disorders. Decoction of leaves was used edible to humans. These findings are also supported against fever, cough and diabetes (Table 1). Ficus by the results obtained by Abbasi et al., (2013). It was religiosa fruits were edible but rarely consumed for a medicinal fruit species (Table 1). Young leaves were being tasteless. Herdsmen and forest dwellers in the pounded or cooked in water as vegetable (Abbasi et area usually consume its fruits during food shortage and al., 2013). Painful eyes were treated by topical hunger. Decoction of leaves was used against diabetes application of its leaf extract. Shadow dried leaves and sexual weakness (Table 1). Leaf extracts from were used in green tea to take orally against asthma. Lantana camara have been used by various folk medicines. Lantana fruits are edible when ripe. Syzygium cumini was possessing great nutraceutical However, ingestion of unripe berries does not cause any fruits which were eaten raw by rural people and also significant toxicity in humans (Carstairs et al., 2010). sold in rural and urban markets. Fruits were edible. These findings are strenghthen by the results Moringa oleifera, a grat medicinal tree was obtained by Bandyopadhyay & Mukherjee (2009). commonly utilized in the form of pickles and The cooling and astringent squash prepared from the vegetables with a general perception in study area to fruits showed anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic be effective against almost 70 diseases. Fruits of actions (Table 1). The results were comparable to those Morus alba were highly edible, digestive and of Shweta et al., (2012). Ziziphus mauritiana fruits medicinal (Table 1). Whole plant was crucial in were found to be edible and demulcent. The results in protecting and preventing human organisms against present investigation are supported by the results civilization diseases. That is the reason due to which presented earlier by Rashid & Marwat, (2006). Fruits it was an important ethnomedicinal tree in study were mucilaginous, pectoral and astringent. These area. These results are comparable to those of findings are also supported by those expressed by Srivastava et al., (2003). Ripened fruits of Morus Arshad & Rao (2001). The fruits of Z. numularia were nigra were eagerly eaten by people of all ages. They found edible to humans (Abbasi et al., 2013). They were delicious and therapeutic due to which M. nigra were eaten raw or dried for future use. They are was occupying the properties of an excellent astringent and medicinally important (Table 1). medicinal plant in the area. Ripened fruits Ripened fruits were eaten with digestive and tonic (dates/doka) from Phoenix sylvestris are source of features (Rashid & Marwat, 2006). Leaf paste was used mineral like calcium and iron, so exhibit excellent to cure ulcerous wounds in animals. The results are results in strengthening the body and bones and in also supported by the results found by Khan (2009). maintaining blood composition (Pederson, 2009). Prosopis cineraria was an incredible source of Recommendations ethnomedicinal recipes (Table 1). Salvadora oleoides It is recommended that there must be link between has gained sacred status among the religious ethnomedicinal studies and present day science for affectionals. It was well growing in the graveyards the sustained usage of these wild sources of and around the oldest shrines of saints medication. It is likewise requirement for the (sufis/murshad). Local people avoid its cutting. Its manageable utilization of wild verdure in the area. It sticks were used to make toothbrushes (Miswak) for is furthermore endorsed that product development teeth damage (Table 1). These investigations are should be conducted to come up with healthy and supported by the results found by Khan (2009). nutritious items from the fruits and other parts of the Salvadora persica is another wild member of family investigated plants.

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